YAMAHA CRW-F1DX CD-RW

Review Pages

1. Installation/Package
2. Data Reading Tests
3. Error Correction Tests
4. CloneCD Reading Tests
5. DAE Tests
6. CDR Tests
7. Writing Quality Tests
8. HS-RW/Packet Tests
9. Mt. Rainier Tests
10. Conclusion

YAMAHA CRW-F1DX CDR-W - Page 10

Conclusion

Positive (+)

Negative (-)

- Attractive design
- Supports Dual interface (FireWire+USB2.0)
- No major differences between both FireWire/USB2.0 interfaces
- Good writing quality with a variety of media
- Supports 24X re-writing
- Less noise than 48X readers
- 8MB Buffer + SafeBurn anti-coaster technology
- Unique DiscT@2 'printing' technology
- Unique CD-RW Audio Track Edit technology
- Improved AudioMASTER technology
- Supports Mt. Rainier format
- Good DAE ripping speed
- Can read all protected Audio discs!
- Supports DAO-RAW writing mode
- Can read/write SubChannel Data from Audio/Data tracks
- Supports CD-Text (read/write)
- Supports Overburning (up to 99mins)
- 2 years warranty for European customers

- Slight lower/higher performance than the CRW-F1E, due to different firmware
- Limited media support for 44X writing speed (OWSC On)
- Medium reading error correction capabilities
- Doesn't support EFM correction for SafeDisc v2.51.021+ builds with all drives
- Doesn't support C2 error report, according to the MMC standard
- High price

The YAMAHA CRW-F1DX offers many features to users who wish an external desktop recorder. The drive supports both FireWire (IEEE1394) and USB2.0 interfaces, making it a truly universal solution for both MAC/PC platforms. In addition, the CRW-F1DX offers all the unique features of its internal brother (CRW-F1E), DiscT@2, AudioMASTER Pro, CD-RW Audio Edit and of course Mt. Rainier format. There are some performance differences, due to different firmware from the already tested CRW-F1E, sometimes positive and sometimes negative.

Two improvements we saw: the drive now can read/write previously un-supported 99min CDs and handle every AudioCD protected disc! The recording performance compared with the CRW-F1E is somewhat slower but the writing quality is improved. There is no change in the hardware/software "EFM correction", useful for backups. Even with the help of software of software help, the produced backups will not playback accurately in all drives.

Lastly, the design of the drive is really attractive to user's eye and the only drawback maybe the price of the drive that reaches up to $280. Of course the price of all external recorders is much higher than with internal drives. YAMAHA's CRW-F1DX offers extra features, sleek design, and dual interfaces.